8.3. QuickMapServices

With this plugin you can quickly add a basemap to you QGIS project. Raster basemap is often the first layer to be added to a project. You can add OpenStreetMap layer, UTM zones borders etc.

Basemap can be in the form of a Web service: TMS, WMS, WMTS, ESRI ArcGIS Service, or symply XYZ tiles.

Most used basemaps are gathered in he QuickMapServices dropdown menu Pic. 8.4.. Also you can search for any service added to QMS database by using the search bar Pic. 8.5..

Full catalog of QuickMapServices is available on https://qms.nextgis.com/. You can add your own basemaps to the catalog.

8.3.1. Menu and search panel

After the plugin is installed its buttons appear in the Web Toolbar (you can move the buttons to another panel in the Settings). Also QuickMapServices submenu will be added to the Web menu.

Press QMS button and select a service from the list (see Pic. 8.4.). Select a basemap from the list to instantly add it as a layer.

Another way is to activate the QMS search panel. Enter the name of the service you want to find into the search bar (try “Openstreetmap”, “Mapnik” or “UTM”), then double-click the service to add it to the map or press Add.

Press Filter by extent to only display the layers that contain the area visible on the map in QGIS. Not all the layers in QMS database have specified extent, but you can add it yourself.

Pic. 8.5. QMS search panel

Basemap added to project as a raster layer (see Pic. 8.6.)

Pic. 8.6. Basemap and a layer of UTM zones

The service settings are stored separately and remain intact when you delete or update the plugin.

See how the plugins work in our video:

Watch on youtube.

8.3.2. Settings

To open the plugin settings, go to Web ‣ QuickMapServices ‣ Settings.

Pic. 8.7. QMS settings

8.3.2.1. General settings

Open the settings menu from the plugin menu. On this tab you can configure the following parameters:

Automatically reproject to EPSG: 3857 Pseudo Mercator);
Show info/error message in message bar. By default they are displayed in a pop-up window.

../../_images/qms_settings_general_en.png

Pic. 8.8. General settings

8.3.2.2. Tiles settings

Maximal connection count for tile download.
Cache expiration - how long the downloaded tiles are stored, in hours.
Tiles download timeout, milliseconds.

Pic. 8.9. Tiles settings

8.3.2.3. Add/Edit/Remove

On this tab you can manage groups and services.

8.3.2.4. Visibility

On this tab you can choose which services will be displayed in the QMS dropdown menu.

../../_images/qms_settings_visibility_en.png

Pic. 8.10. Visibility settings

By default, there are two services in the plugin, both displayed. To download additional services, to to the “More services” tab.

8.3.2.5. Add more services

On this tab you can download a package of additional services. Click Get contributed pack:

../../_images/qms_settings_more_services_en.png

Pic. 8.11. Downloading additional services

Note

If you plan to make a derivative work based on a basemap added from the Internet, please read the terms of use for that basemap so as not to violate copyright laws. If you use OSM Mapnik, all you need to do is add «© OpenStreetMap contributors (osm.org)». Other basemaps and satellite images may have more restrictions.